The Journey is Not Over

Well, here I am on the eve of a new year.  I just got done reading my blog post from this last year; what a journey!  There have been a lot of accomplishments and I am very proud.  I know there are more bumps then were blogged about, but that is OK, I will take the bumps and bruises too.  It keeps life real.

Reading back in January I was so amazed at myself; the fact that I was just "doing it"...kind of like the Nike slogan!  The excitement, momentum and constant encouragement was really awesome; like riding a really big wave.  Looking back I really needed it; to get me out of the slump, out of the rut, out of the 20-year fog of no exercise.  Riding the wave felt great. 

June-July-August was the crash!  I am a creature of habit.  I crave routine; at least in the arena of exercise.  The routine was gone.  Summer fun...having a blast! 

So, I had fun, gained some pounds and did not run...routinely.  I blamed it on the heat.  I blamed it on the rain.  I blamed it on everything.  (Just a bit of Milli-Vanilli for ya!)  Truth be told, I just got lazy without the routine. 

Fall time came and I picked up the pace and got back on track. It was not easy.  It was not fun.  I hated having to lose those pounds all over again.  It was really depressing. 

I had a new training partner this Fall too and that proved to be awesome!  It was fun to see first-hand someone get all jazzed up about running and gaining strength and most importantly feeling better about themselves.  I felt great too as the trainer this time around; of course with Miranda!  We were (and are) an awesome trio! 

So here ends a year of a new beginning; a start to a new way of living.  It has been a great year.  I have learned a lot about myself; emotionally, physically and spiritually.  Running by-myself has been a wonderful, therapeutic enlightenment that has provided me with time.  Time to reflect. Time to let go.  Time to let it out.  Time. 

My blogging journey started just over two years ago.  I started out with one blog and then started another, The Grateful Daily and then went on another Journey for 39x39.  I believe that being grateful and starting running at the same time has had some lasting effects; profound effects on how this journey started and where it is going now.  I think the secret, the universe, God, my support, my family and friends lifted me up and made me strong enough to continue on more independently.  This is evidenced today.  I ran 3.37 miles by-myself.  I have run before alone.  That is not the big deal.  The power of their strength is that I wanted to run.  I wanted to finish the year strong.  I wanted to do it for me and for them. 

I ran four 5K this year; Race for the Roses, Halloween, Thanksgiving and the Jingle Bell.  All were done with friends and support.  It is amazing!  Thank you to all! 

What is in store for 2011? 

First of all a Valentine's run, and 8K this time.  Then off for four 10K's; the first one being Race for the Roses 10K.  I have set my sights high and have a lot on the line.  I have some weight loss goals too; like dropping some more; slimming down and trimming up. 

Secondly, the Thanksgiving run will hopefully have a new name and benefit the local food bank in 2011 and in many years to come.  More on that later! 

2011 has a lot to offer, just on its own.  With some hope, faith and balance I plan (and put out to the universe, to God) to keep on this journey, keep on these waves; these highs and lows of losing pounds and gaining strength.  I have potential to succeed and to do well.  I can. 

Happy New Year. 
Happy 2011.

"And how high can you fly with broken wings?



Life's a journey not a destination


And I just can't tell just what tomorrow brings"

Jingle Bell 5K

Amanda ran her first 5k today and I ran by fourth.  What a total blast today! 
It was cold, a bit windy but a beautiful day down on the waterfront in Portland for the Jingle Bell fun run.  It was a great course; flat, out and back.  Lots of people were dressed up for the holidays and there was a lot of cheer.  About 3,300 people showed up to raise money for the Arthritis Foundation.  They announced that about $120,000 was raised today! That is awesome!

Looking forward to another fun after the first of the year...Valentine's Day?

Week 9...day three. Done! Again!

Amanda and ran our last day of the last week from the Couch to 5K program.  It has been fun doing the program again with another person.  Miranda was around for the first time and she ran a lot with us this second time too!  It has been fun for me to be with them.  They are both great people.

Miranda is the stronger and faster runner, I am in the middle and Amanda is quickly catching up to me.  She is strong and quite the athlete.  When we are ready to the triathlon in a few years, she is going to teach me how to swim freestyle so we can do it together.  In a few years. 

Now we are going to focus on a 10K.  In April 2010. 

The Turkey Trot

A few weeks ago...
My sister texted me and asked if I wanted to run on Thanksgiving day; a 5K somewhere.  It would be fun she said, plus I have been wanting to run 4 races this year and didn't do not-a-one this summer.  I checked around on the internet and found a race in Sherwood, $25 bucks and travel time.  Not what either of really wanted to do...so we said we would run 3.1 miles on Thanksgiving morning.  No problem.  Just her and I.  Fun.  I was really looking forward to it. 

Last week...
My sister tells me that she got us t-shirts, mapped on route on map-my-run.com and let's round up some people to run!  OK. 

Thanksgiving Day...
9:00 Eleven of us met at our mom's house, tried to stay warm and headed off down the road in our matching t-shirts.  What a blast!  So fun to be running in the cool, crisp air with friends...well at least for the first 2 minutes.  They all were a block ahead of me after that and I just watched the backs of them! 

We have some ideas for the 2nd annual Turkey Day 5K.  (More to come!)

Another Race in the Future

My sister and I wanted to run a Turkey Trot, but the closest one was in Sherwood and it costs 25 bucks.  Soooooo, Anna got some Tshirts designed, we both gathered some people (about 9) and got a run all mapped out.  We are ready to hit the road at 9:00 AM on Thanksgiving day! 

I am so thrilled because this will be the third race this year and one more coming Dec. 5th...so four 5K's this year!  Yeah!

A Great Run

Miranda and I ran 3 miles tonight...it was slightly tough with 2 larger hills, but the great news is that we ran and held a conversation pretty much the whole time.  We are getting stronger and better at running.  It seems we are running more efficiently.  I sure do enjoy running with her, she is a great partner and keeps me going.  I love how she is stronger and faster than me and keeps me at a quicker pace. It has been a fun journey!

Happy Halloween

I picked up Lynn at 8:00 and we drove while chatting all the way to Corvallis. 

We were early.  Too early.

We got all our stuff.  Took pictures.  Warmed up then went back and sat in the truck because it was cold and because we were too early.

Finally it was 15 minutes until race time. 

We headed over to the start line.

There were people dressed in some awesome costumes and their dogs!  Totally fun, totally upbeat and the sun was out shining brightly.  I was nervous (stomach lurching and anxious).  Lynn was awesome. She kept the (often one sided) conversation alive due to me huffing and puffing my way through the first mile.  I just could not get my breath!  I was too anxious and wound up.  It really drove me crazy.  Finally we reached mile marker 1 and I relaxed a bit.  Upon reaching where I thought we were turning...I was feeling better then I looked up ahead and saw we were actually running further out and further out meant further away from the finish line!  I knew I could do it, I was just dreading it in a way.  Not sure why. 

So we reached mile 2 and life was better.  I was settling in a bit more and enjoying the scenery.  We ended up running past all three of my college homes...well at least within 3-4 blocks of each.  It was literally and figuratively a great run down memory lane. 

I crossed the finish line a few minutes later than what I had hoped, but I ran the whole way and finished. 

We headed to get some bagels, juice and water.  Yummy!

As were were getting water two ladies told me they ran/walked the course and I was ahead of them the whole way.  I was their pace marker and they said, "you were our inspiration".  I was flabbergasted!  Wow!  They told me they were proud of me running the whole way and said that when they had to start walking and I was getting too far in front of them then they would start running again.  Wow!  Who knew...me an inspiration.  That felt awesome!  I then told them of the puppy St. Bernard that was in front of me and how it was my "pace dog".  (Totally true by the way!)

All in all, a great run.  I sure enjoyed running with Lynn.  She makes it all look really easy.  (As I kept telling here that all day!)

Here is the Jingle Bell in December!

Count Down

I pick up Lynn at 8:00 AM...

We should arrive in Corvallis around 9:00 AM...

Get our chips, bibs and bag of goodies...

For the race starts at 10! 

Wish me luck!

Halloween Run

One week from today I will be running in my 2nd 5K! 

Week Three...Done!

We are still at it and the running is getting better, faster and stronger!  We are really relying on each other and supporting each other this time around.  It feels great. 

After being served breakfast in bed this morning and lounging for a few more hours than necessary...I decided to take in a bit of a jog. 

I ran to work. 

It was work.

I did 2.3 miles in 31 minutes. 

Not bad for a lazy Sunday. Slow and steady.
That is the plan.

Week Two, Day One

At it again...having a great time running with Amanda.  She is great and such a trooper.  I love having someone to run with and that I get to train a bit...while training myself.

Now we just need to sign up for that 5K!

Name Change

Since I am still on the same journey, but over 39 years old and didn't reach the goal...I thought a name change would be appropriate! 

Welcome to the journey! 

"Life's a journey, not a destination."  -Aerosmith (or course)

Starting Again...and again

Started Couch to 5K (again) with a group of friends.  I am so very excited and sooooo proud of them!  Week 1, Day 1 (w1d1) is DONE and I feel great!

Not Going to Make It

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better. ~ Samuel Beckett

 

 

We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope. ~ Martin Luther King

 

 

Life, however hard, is preferable to the alternative. ~ Aesop

 

 

These quotes are borrowed from a blogger that I follow.  In fact he is the one who put it out there to try writing a 365 blog (did that, still doing it...) Anyway, as I was reading his blog and reading these quotes they spoke to me.  While they do not give me license to not feel bad about not reaching my goal, they give me reassurance that other people have failed AND that failing is not so bad that I dig myself into a deep hole and can't see the light again. 

Here are the facts...

• First of June I was 7 pounds from reaching my goal of losing 39 pounds
• I gave myself false freedom of "I have time." and then was on the maintain mode
• July came and I gained 6 pounds
• I got rid of all my big clothes and bought some new ones 3-4 sizes smaller
• I lost just about 25 inches off my body
• My wedding ring is too big and I have to wear a guard so it does not slide off
• I am now 13 pounds from the goal
• I have exercised every week (except 2) since late December, at least once a week
• My family and friends are totally supportive and amazing!

Here are the feelings...

• I feel that I failed
• I feel that I can pick myself back up
• I feel that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel
• I feel that I am not a bad person

Here is what I learned...

• I like routines
• I do well with routines
• I made some serious life changes
• Exercise is now a part of my life 
• I like talking to people about exercise; running and work out ideas

Here is what I observed during these past 8 months...

• People treat me differently with less weight on my body
• I act and feel differently with less weight on my body

 Here I go on to the next four months.  I know that at the end of 2010 I will be able to feel good about the weight that was lost and not the weight that was gained.

Still Going...

Yep, still at it.
Running every other day and or walking.

Taking care to write down meals and keep everything all in check.

Only a few more weeks to go!

Starting Again...again

For real. 
Need to hit the pavement.
Training schedule.

On it!

Still Here...

After the big run in April and taking some time to get back to my family...well, May just came and went in a big bang!  Now it is the eve of June and I can't believe I have not been blogging about the 39x39.

I have been maintaining a steady XX5 for about 3 weeks.  I have been feeling good that I have maintained and I have not been as strict with the training and the counting of every calorie like before.  I feel I have allowed myself to breathe and enjoy some relaxation time.  It feels good to have maintained and not sink back into the pit of self blame and self destruction.  I am feeling good at maintaining.

With that said, I am ready to knock out another 25 in the next 4 months.  Now that I know I can do it, have done it and know that this really is a lifestyle change...well, I ready for the next phase. 

The first phase was during the Winter and now at the end of Spring and heading in to the Summer...well, I am hoping it will be as exciting.  This life change is still all new to me that I can still get excited about the seasons!  ha!

So, here I go...off and running again.  Ready for the next phase.  Ready for the next hurdle, challenge and whatever that may bring.

A BIG shout out to my friend Sarri who  just completed her first TRI!!!!!  She is awesome!

Finishers T-shirt

I am wearing my Race for the Roses t-shirt today...it makes me feel kind of cool!  hee hee

I am ready to run another 5K.  Need to sign up. 

I am feeling more independent and I like where I have ended up...to this day...less clothes in the closet (need to go shopping for smaller sizes), smaller portion control (like that I know when I am full), allowing myself to be "real" and enjoy some of the tastier and worse things to consume (large amounts of wine at times and deep-fried anything), appreciating my supportive friends (and taking their compliments seriously) and most importantly I like (love) where we are as a family.  We seem more centered on the same goal (being healthy) and enjoying life in a different and more productive manner.

It is crazy to think that 26 pounds ago I was "happy".  I was content at what and who I was.  I was not ashamed of my weight, but at times I was tired of not having more freedom to shop where and when I wanted since some stores did not carry my size.  Now 26 pounds have been shed and I am amazed at the new freedom I have and what is available to me in so many different ways.  I am happier and more alive...so ready to keep up the fight and continue on the path to a healthier weight and eventually even more freedom.  I also know that it takes time and effort to keep up this pace.  I am not giving up or giving in until I have reached a healthier weight. 

woooo-hoooooo! 

Race for the Roses...

...in pictures!

Race for the Roses

OK, so I might have cried when I crossed the finish line!

I got to my sister Anna's at 530 am (yep, that early) she and Erica were running the 10K. We then picked up Brian in Tigard and made our way to the Convention Center in Portland.

Picked up our packets (bags really) with t-shirt, bib, chip and goodies. (BTW, this is all new to me and I am dazed and confused not to mention anxious and just a wee bit scared). Got it all together, Anna and Erica headed off to their run and I locatde Hayley and Melissa. The four of us headed out and up the stairs to the start line.

There were a lot of people! I was a bit mesmorized...people watching! Runners of all shapes and sizes were everywhere. There was so much to look at plus the fact I was trying to just take it all in for the first time AND get ready to run.

We chatted for a bit.
Waiting.
Butterflies attcked my gut.

We are off.

First mile? Feel great! Hayley and Brain flank me and I am feeling good. The run over the bridge is gorgeous and fun. I am in it!

Second mile? I slow down. I am poking along (and hindsight...should have pushed harder) but feeling good and still looking around.

Third mile? I feel slow and want to get in the groove but just can't, don't, whatever...but it does not happen. We head up the (VERY) steep onramp to the steel bridge and I am "slogging". Slow, slow, slow jog, but am still moving forward. I arrive at the top of the bridge and the downhill and very short way to the finish line.

At this point I am dragging my butt! Hayley is pushing me to pick up the pace and I tried. It was tough.

We round the corner and I see the finish line
.
Start the flood of tears.

Hayley snaps a picture of me vrossing the finish line.

It is over.

I did it.

Water, a rose (it is called Race FOR the roses, remember) and a few hugs...I am ready to go home!

Anna and Erica cross the finish line, we all get pictures, some snacks and head home.

At home I get a ton of hugs, proud-of-you and lots of good-jobs! My family is amazing.

Just to let how awesome my hiusband is...after a hot shower he let me take a nap! (My baby too ended up napping with me).

Sweet, sweet way to end a great morning and start the day!

Now what? Well sign for another 5K of course!

Do You Wanna Get Rocked?

So, this is the song that I will listen to on my ipod as I begin my first ever 5!

Sunday, 7:35 AM

Race for the Roses

...Jump off the deep end, hold on tight!

Last Day

Done. Finito. Complete.

That is how I feel. And it feels great. I finished the Couch to 5K today. And I am soooo, soooo happy.

I am proud of myself for completing the program, but also for never skipping a training session. Not one. Ever. That feels great.

To keep all things honest I did "cheat" twice by stopping and walking...once around week 4 or 5 and then today. Today! My last day and I wimped out at mile 2 and walked a half lap. I am slightly bummed at myself but also proud that I went (when everyone was busy and I was on the treadmill alone!). It was not fun...but I did complete the 3 miles and in about the same time as Monday's on the treadmill. Wednesday was out on the road and I shaved 5 min off the time...what is up with that?

So, today was a big day but there was no big fan-fare, no big finish and I didn't even finish "strong" as I had anticipated. What do I say to that? How am I feeling?

Nobig deal.
Such is life.

I didn't quit and I am still moving forward. Yeah me!

Next week I am going to run a few times to keep up my pacing and get ready for the big race on the 11th. Do some hills maybe...oh, scary! There is always a challenge out there and - am ready for it!

What next? Wait and see....fun times ahead!

It has been a few months (3) and I have been working hard...training on schedule, journaling about food, being aware of a new healthy lifestyle. I feel great.

So, it is not with a heavy heart or with sadness that I reflect upon a week with was less than perfect and I may even catorgorize as "falling back into the same old routine". With this new outlook on life I can recognize the good that has happened and the steps forward that I have taken. So many steps forward in fact that a few steps back (or even sideways) don't really get me too down.

I still did my training...3 times and improved my time.

I did not keep a food journal but I did keep aware of what I was eating and didn't feel the guilt or downward spiral, but yet this time I felt empowered to make better choices the next time and know one bad choice does not constitute another bad choice and so on and so on....I have power to turn things around and take control.

I am woman hear me roar...numbers too big to ignore....!!!!

Marching On and Out of March...

March is almost over...well 10 more days and it I am still a little amazed at myself for sticking with this for this long.  I guess I will officially have to get over it and just realize that now I have made a lifestyle change and bad habits are broken after 6 weeks so...there you have it.

New Woman!

I am in week 8 of the Couch to 5K and this is the only week I am repeating.  2.7 miles last week and this week.  I feel (and so does my trainer) that I need to work on my times.  I need to get faster.  Build speed.  It feels right to me too.  Last time I thought about repeating a week, I was scared to move ahead and felt tired, this time I feel ready to move ahead (faster) and am getting more and more ready for race day.

Sometimes when I am running that little voice in my head starts the question game...why am I doing this?  Why am I going to enter a race?  How will I ever get better?  What is this all for?  Will I ever finish?  And amazingly enough at the end of the training...guess what?  Those questions are left on the side of the road.  They are turned to enthusiasm and accomplishment and exhilration. 

For the first time Carlos saw me run.  Hayley and I had started at a near-by track and made a loop that ended at my house.  As I was coming down the street with three blocks to go I saw Carlos holding Zac out front of our house.  What a treat!  I felt so focused and determined to finish strong, big and fast that when I reached them I was out of breath (thought about puking) and said very quickly..."I see you,  hang on", then walked it off and came back around for hugs and thanks. 

I have the best husband!

March...March On!

Here I am in March!  Still jogging, still training, still going at it and getting ready for the 5K in April.  I am proud of myself for coming this far and I love, love the feeling I have after a run.  I know that I am actually jogging, but saying "run" is cooler.  :)

I am getting come very nice compliments on my new and improved shape.  Those compliments feel great.  They let me know that others notice and care enough to say something.  Sometimes it can be a double edged sword...is thinner "better", (I know, it is not necessarily, but it is healthier) and what did I look like before?  Not good enough to warrent a "you look great".  It kind of makes me laugh.  As Hayley and Anna would say..."Paige,  you think too much.".  I know I do.  I will continue to take the compliments, they make me feel good and encourage me.  Some days are really hard. 

I just finished up week 6 of Couch-to-5K and in doing so ran 2.5 miles, straight in 32:26.  I am just a bit proud of that!!!!  Interesting though, at about mile 1.5 I realized how to run...push off with my feet, use more of my thigh, pull more with my arms, lean forward a bit and tighten up my core.  When I was doing all that and not really thinking about it...it felt great!  I was amazed at how much more pavement I was able to cover.  I did feel like a blur rounding a corner!  ha! 

Anyway, it was nice to feel a good run.  I know what I can do and what my body can do...usually more than I think. 

I guess I do think too much! 

Two Miles and a Sign Up

OK, this is a week of Wow-I-can-really-do-what-I-put-my-mind-to...

I jogged 2 miles (WITHOUT STOPPING...NOT EVEN A LITTLE BIT)  and in the rain and out on the streets.  It was fun, exhilirating, awesome, wild and with the help of trainer Hayley...it would not have been half as fun, exhilirating, awesome and wild!  I do know I can do this stuff on my own, and I am weaning myself a bit (a bit, teeny-tiny-bit) but I have four more weeks until race day...and I want to need her! 

(speaking of race day...)

I signed up for Race for the Roses!  April 11th, 7:35 AM, downtown Portland. 

Yoooooo-Hooooooo!!!!!!

I did it!

I jogged one mile today.  No stopping.  Wow!  I can do it! 

Week 4

Hard. Tough. A challenge. Mental breakthrough (I hope). Sore. Pacing. Time and distance.

It has been another tough week. That is all I have the energy for right now.

Helping

This journey is helping my state of mind.  I am feeling better and more in focus.  I like it.  I see myself as a runner and enjoy the pace that has been set before me.  The helping attitudes, time, encouragement and everything that everyone is doing to help me along on this journey has been amazing!  I am now just starting to feel like I am helping myself.  Kind of crazy to think that I felt I couldn't and didn't help myself in the past, but really, when I started on this journey I thought it was going to be a ME thing and that has not been the case...it has been a we and us and together thing...it feels good.  I am finally feeling that I am helping myself AND others. 

Chhhh-chhhh-chhhh-changes

(Bowie)
Turn and face the strange...
Funny that when I wrote that last post the title (at the time) was to reflect the amount of bad words in my post, but now it has a whole new meaning for me. This journey is not for the meek or weak and I am neither. My mentor-coach-sister (now will be referred to as MCS) pointed out it has been 20 years since I have trained for anything! (Gasp!). So of course I am holding back but why am I not educating myself in the same way I do professionally and as a parent? Why is this area of my life (in my words) meek and weak? So, today I got a journal, labeled it and wrote and reflected and posted my food intake. (Blogging and writing are two different things and they are for two different purposes) so I think I am safe there. I won't be repeating myself. (Well you would never know! Ha!). Anyway, I am going to attack the track tomorrow and get this lifestyle change up and running...on the right track...yes, puns intended.

Not for the meek or weak

Fuck!  That is all I can muster...I am pissed at myself (more at the stupid, fucking bag of Fritos with the side of cheese dip) but more importantly I am pissed that I gave in to my old self.  I knew it as I ate.  I knew it as I saw my mentor-coach-sister look at me and she didn't say a word...she didn't have to... the scale did not lie this morning.
 Fuck! 
Two pounds!
Gained!
So, I got it out at the track with trusty Hayley and ever-so-dependable Miranda who pushed me and pushed me and we pushed each other and tomorrow I am going to feel the burn and then I am going to push myself to lose this two-fucking-pound-Frito-fest in my gut!  

(No time to blog now...but coming soon:  My break-through...almost ready for it.)

Super Bowl

Too much food. Too much temtation. Too much.

I am glad I ran this am with my sister. Not looking forward to tomorrow's scale. Big week of training and this was not a good way to kick it off...argh!

"My momma told me there would be days like this...".

Bring it on week 3

Well I made it...week 2 is in the past. It feels good and I know progress is being made. Every time the training is over I am again amazed that I did it. I am coming to the realization that my body is capable. I know mentally that it can be accomplished. It makes sense. I can walk-jog-run from point A to point B. I see myself doing it and I know it can and will happen. BUT while in the process (and I do have to say sooooo focused) I feel my body struggling, my breathing is labored and putting one foot in front of the other is a battle. Mentally I am across the finish line and I know it will be eventually over...so why am I still amazed that I actually did it?

So as week 3 dawns in just a few days, I am in the process of preparing mentally. Seeing myself complete each part of the interval training, thinking of myself crossing the finish line and keeping up with a steady pace. This can be done.

Inches

After one month of working out, smaller portions and more water here is what happened...

Teacher Arm Flab...-.5
Thighs...+/- 0
Calf...+/- 0
Waist...-1
Butt...-2
Underwire...-2
Under armpits...-1

I am still big, but stronger.
I am still flabby, but shaking it off.
I am still tired, but willing to move forward.
I am still at this!!!! 

Bring it on!

I am feeling it!  Progress is being made!  Whooo-hoo!

Still here...barely

Walking, running, panting, sweating and when it is over I am so happy and feeling great. My friends are there to support me and encourage me and (thankfully) walk and run with me. Week 2 starts on Monday....only 8 more weeks to go!

Day One

Today is the day I started the program Couch Potato to 5K. Running and walking intervals and I am off. Thanks to Hayley (see my other blog The Grateful Daily) and my sister for their support and timing me and running with me! This is turning into quite the adventure. Me? Running in a 5K in two months? Hang on folks...this is going to be a wild ride.

Not a Butt Kicking, But...

...it was a thorough arm kicking.

Yes, my sister has shown me all the right moves to make me sore in the morning...and the next morning and if I am really lucky...the next!

Good thing I am a teacher.
So I can feel the burn as I write on the board.

Yeah.

Weigh In

I weighed in this am...I was prepared for no loss or some gain due to the fact that I spent two nights at the beach with my teacher peeps.  Boy, was I surprised!  Down 1.5 pounds.  My goal was 2, but I will take 1.5 or nothing! 

I am sooooo inspired to work out this week...to keep up this level of intensity. 

February is just around the corner and then I can say that I have been doing this for a month AND that I can do it! 

Yeah me.  :)

Feeling Good

Three weeks in and I am doing good.  Feels good.  My sister worked me hard last week.  Felt good.

I do know how much I have lost last week.  I am not sure if I am going to post right now.

When I first started this blog I thought that I would be posting every ounce lost.  I am not so sure right now.  It is a little personal right now and I am not ready for my blog world (however so small) to know.  I do know that it feels good.  I am more and more ready for the longer haul...Feb is just around the corner and that month too will fly by and I feel good knowing that I am still on the track for 39x39!

How long...

am I going to be able to keep up this pace and do it? I am hoping for a really, really long time.

My Sister...my coach

Learning new workout moves.
Yeah.
Really.

Day 4 and still at it. 
Yeah.
Really.

Update

It is going well. 
It is only day 3.

I am working out at Gym Fast.
I took all my measurements.  (ugh!)
I am making my portions smaller.
I am drinking more water...but not today. 

I am hopeful.
 
I can do this!